Traveller-digest     Monday, September 20 1999     Volume 1999 : Number 1108



(R)1996. Traveller is a registered trademark of FarFuture Enterprises.
All rights reserved.

The following topics are covered in this digest:

Re: Time Question(s) 
Re: Book Name : Traveller-digest V1999 #1107
Website Update
Re: Website Update 
Pocket Empires question
RE: Deckplans, lost messages and T5
Re: Ground Forces
Re: Re: Ground Forces...
Re: Milieu 0 questions
Re: Ground Forces...
Time Dilation
RE: Traveller-digest V1999 #1106
Trade Practices (was re: Wiring Plans)
Re: Ground Forces...
Re: Milieu 0 questions (reposted, apparently lost)
Re: More M:0 - Politics & Astrography
Re: WBD and Secondary World populations...
Re: Milieu 0 questions (reposted, apparently lost)
Re: Ground Forces...
Re: Time Dilation
New RealLife(tm) Fusion Plant Design Fires Up Successfully

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 01:18:17 -0400
From: "Keven R. Pittsinger" <jamstar@accesstoledo.com>
Subject: Re: Time Question(s) 

> Pat Connaughton wrote:
> > 
> > Sorry to trouble you all with what may be a tired old horse
> > of a question but here it goes.
> > 
> > In my traveller group, we recently had a guest player who asked
> > just how time dialation functioned during higher accelerations to
> > jump point and if there was any meaningful accumulated duration
> > buildups for PC's?
> 
> Well, I'm not a physicist (nor do I play one on TV), but I would invoke
> pseudoscience and point out that, on average, they spend as much time
> decelerating as accelerating.  If they jump out with a high velocity,
> they have to decelerate to match the system's relative velocity.  This
> should cancel out any noticeable temporal effects of their acceleration
> on the way out.
> 
> Bottom line:  What you gain on one end of a jump, you lose on the other
> end.
> 
> It may not be entirely accurate, but it _is_ reasonably plausible, and
> it's eminently playable.

From what I've been able to calculate, there isn't a whole lot of time
dialation involved in interplanetary travel in Traveller, since you never
get anywhere even close to 0.1C.

Keven

- -- 
tc++ tm+ tn t4- to ru++ ge+ 3i c+ jt au st- ls pi+ ta+ he+ so- vi zh sy
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Science-Fiction Adventure
                                                     In Reavers' Deep

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 15:10:47 +1000
From: dadams@parracity.nsw.gov.au
Subject: Re: Book Name : Traveller-digest V1999 #1107

I for one would sugest GT: Groundpounders (as a B5 fan as well as a Trav
Fan).

Or  GT: Emperors Finest.
Or GT : DirtSuckers (with the Space Force one being Vacuume Heads).

Darryl

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 15:40:31 +1000
From: david.d.jaques-watson@centrelink.gov.au
Subject: Website Update

Dear Folks -

BEOWULF DOWN OPENS
=======================
This is to announce the opening of Beowulf Down starport! Phase 1 is now
complete, and all travellers are welcome to visit our upgraded facilities
at Tavonni.

Tavonni is host to a number of unique resources. Traveller Library Data may
be accessed from the starport, for example. A number of specialist
companies also reside on-planet, including trendi (missiles, robots,
vehicles, and other equipment) and Lone Scout Enterprises (starships).
Another facility, the Traveller Jump Points depature lounge, is also
accessable but not due for a complete update until Phase 2. Finally, the
Maintenance and Repair facility holds a number of [game rules & background]
articles.

Beowulf Down is the homeport of Tavonni (Vilis/Spinward Marches 1520),
located near the astrographic centre of the Marches. Until recently, it has
been operating as a class-C (G:T III) starport under the moniker of
"Hyphen's Main Directory", a somewhat less-than-obvious title. The 'port
has been completely rebuilt, now operating as a class-B (G:T IV) facility.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson        Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520)
http://www.tip.net.au/~davidjw                       davidjw@pcug.org.au
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity"
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
REQ'D DISCLAIMER - material & opinions contained within are solely those
of the author and do not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the
position of Centrelink or any other Commonwealth Government agency.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 01:56:21 -0400
From: "Keven R. Pittsinger" <jamstar@accesstoledo.com>
Subject: Re: Website Update 

> BEOWULF DOWN OPENS
> =======================
> This is to announce the opening of Beowulf Down starport! Phase 1 is now
> complete, and all travellers are welcome to visit our upgraded facilities
> at Tavonni.

Looks good.  But the links page needs updating.  <grin>

Candles Against the Night is now at http://members.accesstoledo.com/jamstar/tr
aveller
and not where it's currently listed, which was 2 ISPs ago.  <grin>
 
Keven

- -- 
tc++ tm+ tn t4- to ru++ ge+ 3i c+ jt au st- ls pi+ ta+ he+ so- vi zh sy
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Science-Fiction Adventure
                                                     In Reavers' Deep

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 00:53:53 -0500
From: Dan Roseberry <rosebee@troi.csw.net>
Subject: Pocket Empires question

Greetings Travellers! I have a question about the Pocket Empires book.
In the tables section on what should be page 104 there is a table
labeled "World Settlement" which lists various types of human and alien
settlements. If alien settlements are encountered the table directs you
to an "alien race table". No such table exists, although its nature is
suggested on page 32 in the World History section. Question:  Does
anyone have any canonical errata for Pocket Empires in general and this
"alien race table" in particular. I'm an ardent heretic, and have done
my own work around, but I'd still like to see what the original table
was supposed to look like.

Dan Roseberry (plop 101)  IMTU:  0509 C368966-A S  123 Amber
kk--  zh sw hi sy so vr va  dr+ ne+ da+> ith+>   t4 tg tt to All at
- -t@+   tc+++ tm+++ tne--(-) he+
No mad cows. Virus killed at Celetron by ancient Solomani Y2K glitch.
"Anyone who is not completely terrified does not understand the
problem"--Thud Ridge

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 23:06:18 +0100
From: SD Mooney <dom@cybergoths.u-net.com>
Subject: RE: Deckplans, lost messages and T5

"Eris Reddoch" <eris@pcola.gulf.net> writes:

>Can you believe MS naming their pocket OS WinCE?  It's enough to
>make you...well, to make you wince.

Windows 2000 = Windows 'Oh-Oh'

>> Anybody got any  handy  RPG  utilities  for pocket PCs?
>
>I've never paid much attention to the little pocket organizers.
>Have they gone past the toy stage to actually become useful for
>getting anything done?

Palm OS organisers run using 68000's (IIRC) with a starting 2Mb RAM now
(mine has 1Mb).

This is at least as good as an Amiga or an ST, and the interface is very
Mac like.

Not toys.

Dom

- ----------Dom Mooney---dom@cybergoths.u-net.com------------
                       MiB - Marines in Battledress
   "Protecting the Imperium from the Scum of the Galaxy"
Rob Prior's Mac software @ http://www.bits.org.uk/ 

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 00:34:46 -0700
From: Evyn MacDude <wmacdude@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Ground Forces

Bruce Johnson wrote:

> Douglas E. Berry wrote:
> >
> > I've been informed that I will be writing the GT: Ground Forces book.
> > Cheer or grumble as you wish.  Couple of requests:
> >
> > 1. Does anybody have a copy of Invasion: Earth they'd like to sell?  Or
> > could at least send me copies of any flavor text about dates, units
> > involved, etc,.?
> >
> > 2.  I'm soliciting titles. SJG definitely wants to change Ground Forces.
> > Right now, I'm leaning towards Imperial Regiments.  Suggestions?
>
> Twilight:1116? ;-P


I vote for this one.

- --
Evyn...
Wish I was a better person...   with more control...
Turn the other cheek...   and when the punch comes, roll...
Wish I was a kinder person...   could see the others pain...
Not over react, not judge...   and shrug off the spreadin' stain.
Damaged, by John Shirley/Donald Roeser, BOC, Heaven Forbid 1998.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 01:12:35 -0700
From: "Kelly St.Clair" <kellys@efn.org>
Subject: Re: Re: Ground Forces...

Would "GURPS: GROPOS" be too obscure?

It would certainly take the "Most Unusual Sourcebook Title" prize, which I
believe is currently a tie between "GURPS IOU (Illuminati University)" and
"GURPS Planet Krishna."



- --------------
Kelly St.Clair   "At last we will reveal our pants to the Jedi.
kellys@efn.org    At last we will have revenge."

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:22:59 +0100
From: Ewan Quibell <E.D.Quibell@bton.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Milieu 0 questions

Kurtis Rodgers wrote:
> 
> I am also working on a Milieu 0 game, although I'm not planning on using the
> Long Way Home material.  At least, not in its IG form.  I know there's some
> history around these scenarios.  Were these BITS pubs originally?

They were. It came in one volume though. If you are interested, they
may still have some left. Check out http://www.bits.org.uk and look
under products.

Ewan
- -- 

   Ewan Quibell                       Their's not to make reply,
   Senior Communications Engineer     Their's not to reason why,
   Computer Centre                    Their's but to do and die:
   University of Brighton             Into the valley of Death
                                      Rode the six hundred.
   E.D.Quibell@brighton.ac.uk              Alfred, Lord Tennyson

   #include<stddisclaimer.h>

   My spelling is entirerly due to dyslexia, typos, and poetic license

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:43:59 +0100
From: Ewan Quibell <E.D.Quibell@bton.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Ground Forces...

How about :-

	GT: Grunts

or is that a little close to the bone ?

Ewan
- -- 

   Ewan Quibell                       Their's not to make reply,
   Senior Communications Engineer     Their's not to reason why,
   Computer Centre                    Their's but to do and die:
   University of Brighton             Into the valley of Death
                                      Rode the six hundred.
   E.D.Quibell@brighton.ac.uk              Alfred, Lord Tennyson

   #include<stddisclaimer.h>

   My spelling is entirerly due to dyslexia, typos, and poetic license

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 04:45:37 EDT
From: GypsyComet@aol.com
Subject: Time Dilation

As I recall, time dilation effects due to velocity don't get even close to 
significant until you hit about 30% of lightspeed.

GC

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 03:48:47 -0500
From: "Slack, Andy" <andy.slack@gb.unisys.com>
Subject: RE: Traveller-digest V1999 #1106

Eris wrote:
>I've never paid much attention to the little pocket organizers.
Have they gone past the toy stage to actually become useful for
getting anything done?<

IMHO, yes. I think this because...

1. For the past two years I have been running all 'away' games
   [ones not at my house] off a palmtop. Character sheets,
   background and rules files, dice rollers. I still find it
   necessary to have the charsheets and maps in hardcopy,
   because the players prefer that [and most don't have
   compatible palmtops].

   However, I run 'rules-light' games, if you wanted to use
   full TNE for example I don't think it would work so well.

2. The Aslan half of GT AR2 was written exclusively on a
   Psion 3c, mostly while I was commuting to work.

3. With the exception of giving presentations to clients, I can
   do my whole job with a palmtop, and would, if the company
   didn't already provide me a laptop. But then, I'm a PHB rather
   than a Dilbert these days. :)

   And that approach would probably involve fewer visits to the
   chiropractor to get my back straightened out.

Andy

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:27:39 -0400
From: Walter Smith <SmithW@HARTWICK.EDU>
Subject: Trade Practices (was re: Wiring Plans)

Leonard Erickson wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
It's not *worth* getting into that. Consider what all those luxury goods
(which the locals may not even be *interested* in) cost. And the cost
of the air raft and weapons are even worse. Plus, the get you *way* too
involved in local politics. 
>>>>>>>>>>
Depends on how valuable the commodity in question is, and what your
off-world trading competition is willing to do...if this smith is about to
get his daughter kidnapped by the local IS&L trade rep's "bodyguards",
maybe the only way to keep this particular commodity source open to
you is to produce some security personnel of your own. If these seeds I
mentioned can be processed offworld into a  powerful anagathic, or
something equally precious, a steady supply could be worth putting
in a mercenary company or more. 

Merchants getting involved in local politics? Nah, that *never* happens
in a Traveller campaign... :)

Leonard again:
>>>>>>>>>
But as I noted above *don't* count on "luxury" items being of value to
natives. Their tastes can be *very* different, even if they are human.
Consider things like cheese (which is considered "spoiled milk" by one
of the largest cultural groups on earth), "well-aged eggs" (considered
a delicacy by that same group), kumiss (fermented mare's milk).

What constitutes a "luxury" item is *very* culture dependent.
>>>>>>>>>
Thus cheese, in Japan, *isn't* a luxury item, it's garbage. A trader
stopping in Japan and calling it a luxury item hasn't done his 
homework.

If it's worthless locally, it isn't a luxury item, you find something the
locals *do* consider a luxury item. Medicine. A clothes washing machine. 
A flashlight. Give our trade rep a little bit of credit, Leonard!  :-)

Walt Smith

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:38:32 -0500 ()
From: yikes <yikes@evansville.net>
Subject: Re: Ground Forces...

GT: Bayonets and Battledress?
GT: Carbines and Cutlasses?
GT: Cestus Dei?

Put me in the GT: Imperial Legions camp.

Joseph

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:48:50 -0400
From: Thad Coons <Sapience@compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: Milieu 0 questions (reposted, apparently lost)

Chad Osborne

>I am trying to set up a campaign based on the Long Way
>Home/Gateway adventure, to introduce some friends to Traveller,
>but am missing a few details (like what year it should be set
>in.  I'm guessing near 0.)

My guess would be pick your year, preferably before IE 50.
TLWH refers to the Sylean Scout Corp (misspelling for Corps?)
but according to M:0 (p 26) Jump-3 scouts were not in use before
IE -10. When Cleon declared the empire in IE 0,  the Sylean
Federation Scout Service (SFSS) was renamed as the InterstelLar
Imperial Scout Service (IISS).

>Can anyone tell me if Gaar. (Core 2729) was actually part of the
>Sylean Federation (as indicated by First Survey and Milieu 0
>Campaign)?  It seems out of place (13 parsecs away, all by
>itself.)
>Also, is their any detailed (and preferable canonical) data
>regarding which (specific) planets were in actual
>contact/alliance/trade with the early 3I? Does "Full Data"
>automatically imply contact?  I need to have a solid
>background in my own head before I open myself up the the
>(inevitable) questions.

   The M:0 text and map are inconsistent. The references in the
text are written with reference to the placement of the Sylean
Federation as in the T4 main rulebook, NOT in the M:0 Referee
data for Core sector. 
   For instance, the famous encounter with Cleon's new fighters
and the pirates could not possibly have been at the M:0 Referee
data's Core 0202 Azimuth, some six months away from Sylea at
Jump-2.  Instead, the T4 version must be the one referenced.
Arlea (T4's core 0101) is not to be found in Referee data. The
Chanestin Kingdom is given in the text as 1 sector rimward of
Sylea: but the map has Keshi/Dunea as two sectors away. The text
(p 93) mentions 21 worlds as belonging to the Federation in -110,
but referree data gives only 19, three of those uninhabited.
Shudusham is mentioned as a "Sylean" industrial world during the
Second Chanestin war (-25 IE, M:0 p 10), and the Shudusham
Concords restricting weaponry carried by robots were signed there
in -110 IE. (M:0 p 93), it is listed as a "neutral" world, M:0
does not list it as a member. The text suggests in several places
a Federation significantly larger than the Referee data suggests,
but gives few details.
   Given the inconsistencies within canon, feel free to make up
your own answers. IMTU, I have: 
1)  Gaar is indeed an active member of the Federation. Its
membership dates to the First Chanestin war. Although it is
economically and militarily insignificant, its position in the
Chanestin sphere of influence makes it the Sylean-Chanestin
version of Cuba. 
2) The (in)famous Fusion+ v. pirates encounter actually took
place at 1822 Anka Ke.  
3) Arlea is not a mainworld but a moon or continent on Sylea or a
nearby world. (I haven't placed it exactly)
4) The "Sylean Federation" notes in M:0 Referee data refer to worlds having
full membership at the beginning of Cleon's campaign in -30. The SF's
sphere of influence was considerably greater, and included several worlds
that were at various stages of incorporation into the Federation
(as suggested by the Pocket Empires supplement), but not yet full
members.  Shudusham is among the closest of these to full
membership.  
5) "Full data" implies that a world has been surveyed by the
earlier scout agencies and that some official Sylean presence is
there. However, many other worlds should also be noted at "full
data" (which they are is at referee's discretion).

    References to worlds in or near Core(Sylene) subsector in
adventures published for T4 include 1812 Khiidkar, (Missions of
State Ch. 8), 1921 Medishvlaas (Anomalies Ch. 2), 2916 Khiinra
Ash (Anomalies ch 3), 2111 Kiikagaiir (Anomalies ch 4), 1124
Imkhasham (Anomalies ch 7).
    A week or two ago I posted a list of trade links within the
subsector which I recently derived for MTU based on the rules in
GURPS Traveller Far Trader. It's not complete yet since it
doesn't include the links to industrial worlds in neigboring
sectors, but it's a start. I gave Dom Mooney conditional
permission to post a map based on it on the BITS web site, but it
might not have made it up yet. If it's not up yet or you missed
it, I can send you a copy of what I gave.

>Any help in these directions would be greatly appreciated.

I hope this helps.
  

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:48:45 -0400
From: Thad Coons <Sapience@compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: More M:0 - Politics & Astrography

Kurtis Rodgers wrote:

>Although Milieu 0 was generally an excellent book (IMHO), it
>lacked a lot of useful specifics, especially when referring to
>certain worlds or political boundaries.  Perhaps some of this
>was updated in the Milieu 0 Campaign hardcover?   Specific
>references include (page numbers are from my original softcover
>edition):

The hardcover adds several new chapters: 
9. Timeline and significant events for the first 200 years of the
Imperium, with charts for expansion of the Imperium for the first
200 years, by sector.
10 Rivals of the Young third Imperium (Significant Pocket
empires) 
11. Adventures in M:0 
12. Worlds in M:0. This allows for giving more detail to the
Size, Hydrosphere, & Population of the UWP, and tries to cover
First survey's mistake in making the law level and government
code the same by creating an Extended Law Profile. The ELP is a
nice addition to the rules in any case.

>Santry-Cordova Cluster (p. 23) - a real cluster #&$@!, if you
>ask me.  A neat story about warring states encountered by the
>Imperium, with no location given.  Except, of course, that First
>Survey lists Santry (Core 1736) and Cordova (Core 1836) as
>adjacent worlds in the Dunea subsector.
>This puts them smack up against the Chanestin, whose capital is
>only 2 parsecs away from Cordova.  Yet the Scouts only contacted
>them in -16, despite having been at war with the Chanestin since
>-107.  Doh!  The entire description of both the history and the
>war belies the astrography.  Gonna have to completely
>relocate/rename this entity elsewhere.

Some historians divide the Chanestin war into the First Chanestin
War and the Second Chanestin war.  The First Chanestin War begain
in IE -107 and ended with the peace treaty of IE -44. The Second
Chanestin war began with the attack on Shudusham in IE -25 and
ended with the conquest of Keshi in IE 2. I thought of
considering the Santry/Cordova war as a part of Chanestin War II,
but they're too close; it just doesn't work. I agree with
relocate/rename.

>There have been mentions of an errata corrected version of the
>First Survey data for Core only, but I haven't found an URL yet. 
>What's the story on that?

Yes, there is such a thing. A couple of months ago I spent an hour or so
searching Traveller pages and finally found it and downloaded a copy. I
think you can find it a jump or two away from Freelance Traveller, but
that's all remember about where it is. The list has law levels
different from the government code in most cases, and apart from
that about one UWP in a dozen any different from First Survey.
  

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:11:58 -0600 (CST)
From: "Jason Kemp" <Jason.Kemp@tdh.state.tx.us>
Subject: Re: WBD and Secondary World populations...

> From: "Derrick Jones" <dojones.whitestar@btinternet.com>

> Someone wrote...

Hi, Derrick.  That was me, one of the other grunts helping in the 
development of WBD.  :)

> > Yes, it does have millions of inhabitants.  Looks like a colony of
> > the mainworld Jenghe to me.  But good point, as the population should
> > not equal or exceed that of the mainworld, since according to Book 6
> > or MT's Referee's Manual on extended system generation, the mainworld
> > is considered such due to its population being the highest in the
> > system.

<SNIP credentials for addressing this issue, and beginning comments 
on issue at hand in MT Ref's Manual.>

> Now, look at MT Ref's Manual, p18 col. 1, (penultimate para.)....
> "The mainworld within a system is the single most important planet or satellite
> in the system; *most often* the world with the greatest population, the dominant
> local government type, and the star system's starport."

My bad.  I thought it was located herein, but I stand corrected.  
Thanks.  (This is why I love this list.  People generally can back up 
their clarifications with info straight from the books.  I like it, 
and appreciate it a lot.)

> Note:
> I know that in Scouts (Book 6, Page 36, 1st section, last para.), there is the ruling
> that : "If using the continuation system, then population which exceeds that of the
> mainworld must be reduced to one less than that of the mainworld." As far as I'm
> aware, Stuart didn't have Scouts (otherwise we'd have Bolometric magnitudes and 
> effective stellar temperatures in there).

This must be where I picked up that mental limitation on my system 
generation routines, and carried it over into MT so long ago.  My 
bad.  Well, since it's in CT but not in MT/WBD, I'm cool with leaving 
the generation of worlds as it is.  Yay!

Thanks for the clarification, my friend,
Jason

=============================
Jason Kemp, ADS Programmer IV
(512)458-7111 ext. 3375

Internet Address: jason.kemp@tdh.state.tx.us
==============================

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:07:32 -0500
From: "Bont" <felix@felixcafe.com>
Subject: Re: Milieu 0 questions (reposted, apparently lost)

> I am trying to set up a campaign based on the Long Way Home/Gateway
> adventure, to introduce some friends to Traveller, but am missing a
> few details (like what year it should be set in.  I'm guessing near
> 0.)

I have just finished running both of those and I found the lack of 
dating a problem.  I suspect it is supposed to be run in Year 200.  
However, running it then with the current state of exploration tends to 
put the Imperium a little closer than is indicated in the adventures.  
So I started the game in year 50 ... and consolidated the Imperium 
somewhat.  Instead of being sparsely spread all over the place, it is 
more concentrated in Core and the closer half of all adjoining 
sectors.  
 
> Also, is their any detailed (and preferable canonical) data regarding
> which (specific) planets were in actual contact/alliance/trade with
> the early 3I? 

I never found any definitive works.  That doesn't mean it's not out 
there, though.

> Does "Full Data" automatically imply contact?

I assumed Yes.  As a recommendation (and I am not trying to push 
my program), I suggest you download my Astrogator 4 program.  I 
have all the M0 systems in the DB and the systems in 3I (and some 
of the pocket empires) are marked.  You can then see what worlds I 
considered part of the Imperium.  They also have the corrected 
system information available.

There is a major flaw/oversight in some of the assumptions in these 
adventure modules.  Drop me a line if you are interested, as I don't 
want to give away any clues to potential players.  My players found 
the problem and I was scrambling the rest of the scenarios to try 
and keep if from shortcutting the adventures.

You also might want to consider giving them the ship in the back of 
the modules.  Anything larger makes the players a bit cocky.

I hope you have fun with these adventures.  With a little work, they 
turn out to be really good starting points for an entire game.  My 
players enjoyed the six months it took to play them out.  Well, worth 
the money ... IMO.


- - - -
FELIX (Thomas L Bont)

- - Encrypt your messages!
  That way only the government knows what you wrote!

- - It is truly the wise man that knows what he doesn't!

- - With your shield or on it ... (Old Spartan Blessing)

- - Fidelitas super omnia, honore excepto

- - Help Stop Forest Fires.  Outlaw Matches.

Be sure to visit The FELIX Cafe at
     http://www.felixcafe.com/

- - - -

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 08:26:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kiri Aradia Morgan <tiamat@tsoft.com>
Subject: Re: Ground Forces...

On Mon, 20 Sep 1999, yikes wrote:

> GT: Bayonets and Battledress?
> GT: Carbines and Cutlasses?
> GT: Cestus Dei?
> 
> Put me in the GT: Imperial Legions camp.
> 
I like that one best also.  Somewhere we should send this so that we don't
fill up the list with "me toos"?

Kiri

******************************************************************************
Kiri Aradia Morgan                                  93!  Thou Art God
tiamat@tsoft.com

"If time passes, everything turns into beauty
If the rains stop, tears clean the scars of memory away
Everything starts wearing fresh colors
Every sound begins playing a heartfelt melody
Jealousy embellishes a page of the epic
Desire is embraced in a dream..."              -- X-JAPAN 

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 11:35:19 EDT
From: TDRandall@aol.com
Subject: Re: Time Dilation

Depends on your definition of significant, I suppose.

Wouldn't the time that passes inside a quickly moving object compared to the 
outside (meaning relativistically stationary) something like this?

I = O * sqrt(1- (v squared / c squared))

If you use c as "1", and v as some percentage of c, all you should need is a 
calculator that can do a square root and multiplication.

so if 10 hours happened in the "outside" reference, with someone travelling 
at 30% speed of light, you end up with about 9.5 hours "inside".

Now if you happen to be going 70% of the speed of light, you end up with just 
over 7 hours for ever 10 that passes outside.

Good luck, everybody!

T

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:37:40 -0500
From: "Smart, David J (David)" <dasmart@lucent.com>
Subject: New RealLife(tm) Fusion Plant Design Fires Up Successfully

For those of you that follow such things, a UniSci article posted today
announced the successful "first plasma" of a new fusion plant design
called "HSX".

Following is an excerpt.


"...The shape of HSX is certainly its signature and the key to its unique
properties. The vacuum chamber looks like a warped donut, with a series of
helical twists and turns girdled by thick coils of copper magnets. The
device
will confine plasmas in a magnetic field, while generating temperatures of
up to 10 million degrees.

<snip>

HSX combines elements of two existing styles of plasma containment
experiments known as tokamaks and stellarators. Tokamaks have
achieved the best results to date, but they also require a strong current in
the plasma itself. Stellarators don't need that current, making them
potentially more attractive as power reactors.

But they don't produce the high-quality magnetic field that confines plasmas
to reach higher temperatues. 

HSX solves that problem by achieving symmetry in the magnetic field
through its oddly-shaped and complex magnet coils. The plasma-confining
energy is located in coils outside of the plasma itself, making it more
stable
and attractive as a reactor..."


The full article is at:
http://unisci.com/stories/19993/0920996.htm

ObTrav: Just some interesting descriptive details for those whose Engineer
PCs want/need them.

------------------------------

End of Traveller-digest V1999 #1108
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